Ageism refers to stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination based on age. It exists across individual, societal, institutional, and cultural levels, posing a global challenge that impairs healthy aging. With the older adult population projected to reach 1.6 billion by 2050, addressing ageism is critical to improving geriatric health outcomes. Ageism affects older adults through stereotypes portraying them as non-productive, burdensome, or cognitively impaired, leading to substandard care and exclusion from healthcare decisions. Self-ageist attitudes can discourage health-seeking behaviors, with individuals viewing conditions like depression and chronic pain as inevitable aspects of aging. These attitudes contribute to increased hospitalizations, perceived disability, reduced lifespan, and poor mental and cognitive health outcomes.
This session will define ageism, highlight common stereotypes, and explore myths and theories about ageism, including its intersection with racial and gender minorities. We will examine its consequences on mental health, such as heightened risks of anxiety, depression, adverse cardiovascular outcomes, and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers. Ageist biases among mental health providers may hinder appropriate psychiatric care, creating gaps in treatment and discrimination in both pharmacological and nonpharmacological management.
We will present evidence-based interventions that effectively reduce ageism, such as intergenerational contact programs, integrative care approaches, and enhanced training for healthcare providers and laypeople. Finally, we will propose solutions for fostering an anti-ageist healthcare system, including reducing barriers to mental health access and ensuring older adults are included in clinical trials, ultimately promoting equitable mental health care for this population.
Format
Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity.
This presentation was recorded at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting 2023.
Learning Objectives
- Define ageism, including theories of origin
- Recognize the effects of agism and the consequences on the mental health care of older adults
- Appraise interventions to reduce ageism
- Recommend potential solutions to create an anti-ageist mental health care system
Target Audience
Medical Students, Residents/Fellows, Psychiatrists
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 1.5 hours
Begin Date: December 1, 2024
End Date: December 1, 2027
How to Earn Credit
Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course including the evaluation. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the event date and hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, the American Psychiatric Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Program Presenters
- Daniel Dahl, M.D.
- Badr Ratnakaran, M.B.B.S.
- Karen Dionesotes, M.D., M.P.H.
- Margaret Wang, M.D.
Program Planners
- Vishal Madaan, MD. Chief of Education and Deputy Medical Director, APA.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.
Technical Requirements
This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:
- The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
- Internet Explorer 11+
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Optimal System Configuration:
- Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
- Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
- Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher
Minimum Requirements:
- Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
- Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
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